Ford Mustang
The Ford Mustang's status as the pinnacle of the American muscle car has been well established for some time now, as has AmericanMuscle's reputation for being the most reliable, lowest-cost provider of high-quality aftermarket Ford Mustang parts on the Internet. But we at AmericanMuscle have more on our minds than simply the bottom line. We want to make sure the history of this classic car is well documented, for all our customers to see.
The modern-era Mustangs, the third generation, ran from 1979-1993, and were based on the famous "Fox Body" platform and had a look slightly similar to the Mustang SVOs. But the real change was under the hood. Whereas previous cars had choked under the yolk of malaise-era restrictions on horsepower and torque, the 1987 Ford Mustang had a power rating of 225 HP and 300 ft-lbs. of torque, both of which represented considerable increases from previous years. More changes would follow, including the switch from a speed density air system to a mass air system that occured on the 1989 Mustang. This change made many Mustang owners very happy, as the new version became much easier to modify.
Fourth generation Mustangs, known as the SN-95s, lasted from 1994-2004, and featured a dramatic departure from the previous years. The redesign took many elements of the original Mustang Fastback from the late-60s, and also integrated some of Ford's modern, "Aero"-styling. All of this resulted in a low-slung design that was accentuated with sweeping curves and contours. The interior was renovated as well, with a "dual-cockpit" arrangement that emphasized the front two seats. The V6s utilized a 3.8L OHV engine rated at 145 HP and 215 ft-lbs of torque while the GTs had a 5.0 L OHV V8, called the 302 Windsor, was capable of 215 HP and 285 ft-lbs. of torque. The GTs also sported a stiffer overall suspension that made for much more aggressive handling. These changes resulted in the 1994 Mustang winning Motor Trend's "Car of the Year".
The SN-95s received a further modification in 1999, when Ford unveiled "New Edge" styling on many of its most popular vehicles. "New Edge" styling on the 1999 Mustang was characterized by a sharpening of the features on the car, significant creases in the body work and raised wheel arches. These Mustangs, however, retained the same body platform, interior and roof line as the 94-98 models. The engines remained largely unchanged, but with noticeable horsepower gains of between 30 and 50 HPs for both the V6 and V8. The New Edge Mustang period was also the time of a couple well-known special editions, including the 2001 Bullitt with its popular Bullitt Mustang wheels and the 2003-2004 Mach 1.
But the fifth generation 2005-2009 Mustang, also known as the S197, represented the most talked-about redesign, with its hugely popular retro design that harkens back to the 1967-1968 ponies. The retro theme continues on the interior of the 2005 Mustang, with 60s style numbers on the gauges, plus chrome-ringed A/C vents. Also, the wheelbase was extended by a full six inches, and the 2005 Mustang suspension was again stiffened beyond the previous increase. As was expected, the engine was again revised, this time to the award-winning 4.6L SOHC on V8s that came with three valve heads and registered 300 HP and 320 ft-lbs. of torque. There was, again, a plethora of special edition of the 2005-2009 Mustang, including the California Special, the 08-09 Bullitt constructed in the same Dark Highland Green from the Steve McQueen film of the same name, and the acclaimed SVT Shelby GT500, successor of the famed 2003-2004 Cobra .
What does the sixth generation Mustang hold for 2010 and beyond? Well, Ford has been teasing us with extreme close-up photographs of various sections of the interior and exterior of the car. These pictures have revealed a largely remodeled front and rear fascia, but we won't know anything for certain until the 2008 Los Angeles International Auto Show at the end of November, where the new 2010 Mustang will finally be revealed and we will find out just how this new addition to the family will add to the grand legacy of the Ford Mustang.